I think he’s in. Or, I should say, he’s got a shot depending somewhat on what happens from here. If he retired today would be be 1st ballot? No. It’s true there’s a logjam of talented WRs and other players ahead of him (WRs have struggled to get in anyway) which it makes it really hard to read or handicap if you’re just trying to objectively assess his odds. A couple more years of peak Edelman - and goddamn if he wasn’t a monster the back half of this season - and another title and he could render some of this discussion moot. I think the narrative matters too - this is a guy who didn’t even play WR until he got to the NFL, turned himself into one of the greatest punt returners of all-time, the go-to guy for the GOAT, won (at least) 3 SBs, he has a SB MVP, and he got there solely through hard work. He was absolutely unguardable yesterday...yeah he’s doesn’t have prototype size or a Moss ‘07 like regular season, but he nonetheless will someday retire as at WORST the 2nd most accomplished postseason WR of ALL TIME. If that’s not a HOFer, then I don’t know what is.
If you don’t believe his accomplishments merit the HOF then of course nothing I or any fan or talking head will say will impact your thinking. But he will be coming from the greatest dynasty in league history, and it’s a team that doesn’t otherwise have a ton of HOF level producers on it because of the interchangeable parts BB has won with. Gronk and JE11 are the offensive stalwarts of the 2.0 era of TB/BB. 10 years down the road what he has done so far (and there may be more to come), after a bunch of dogshit fancy offensive teams have won SBs with more traditional WR talent, I believe what he’s put out there will only look more incredible.